| Author |
Family Matters:  FarmGirl Prayers Needed  |
|
Norma
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Norma
Texarkana
AR
USA
45 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 12:46:20 PM
|
Dear Farmgirls,
I need your prayers, please. My dearest friend and partner was helping my Dad last Tuesday at his home. Daddy had five shepherd mix dogs and two puppies. One of the male dogs took one of the puppies away and hurt it; the mother dog was practically wailing for help. Kathy found the puppy and took it back to the mother dog, set it down, and when the mother smelled/saw/tasted its blood, she jumped up and bit Kathy. When she attacked, all the other dogs followed suit. She was mauled by five large adult dogs. If it were not for a neighbor hearing her screams and coming to help, she would have been killed. The man jumped the fence and threw rocks at the dogs to get them off her and called 911. Kathy also (during the attack, mind you) called 911 and called me to come to the hospital. The animal control people and police had to kill one dog right then to keep it from attacking the emergency people. Another dog died from EXHAUSTION. All the dogs who attacked have now been put down. My friend had surgery that night, where they closed all the wounds that could be closed. She was bitten literally from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. Most of the injury was to her arms. They bit her right ear in two, and bit behind her left ear; and we are thanking God that they didn't bite a few inches lower! All in all, she has had over 400 stitches, and has had these marvelous devices on the larger wounds that help the healing and help prepare the skin for grafts. If all continues as planned, she will have surgery for the skin grafts Friday afternoon (Dec 1). After that, if everything is successful, she will still be in the hospital at least another week.
Daddy (85 yrs old) witnessed all this, and the trauma took a real toll on his already-present dementia. He went downhill every day, and had a lot of health problems made worse by all this. He is now in the hospital (the same one Kathy is in) in a place that will hopefully help him think more clearly and remember things better. He just got so confused and forgetful he was not safe at home. Bless his heart, when all the dogs were off of her, he sat on her back to keep the dogs from coming back to hurt her more. He did all he was able to do.....in his limited physical capacity.
Please pray for all of us -- Kathy, her two children (Kathy's mom is here to help take care of the kiddoes), my Daddy, our own fur babies who miss Kathy very much and don't understand where she is, and me, who needs to be cloned to be in all places at once. We all could use your prayers and well-wishes.
This website has been a place of peace and happiness for me, meeting all of you and reading what you write to each other. I know it's one big family, and I am asking for your support.
God bless you all,
Norma |
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 1:17:23 PM
|
will remember you and your father and friend in prayers and thoughts.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
 |
|
|
lilpunkin
True Blue Farmgirl
368 Posts
Texas
USA
368 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 1:19:59 PM
|
Many prayers go out to you,dad and Kathy. I am so sorry that all of that happened. We are all here to support you in this time.
Lilpunkin
Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, but by how many moments take your breath away. |
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 1:30:40 PM
|
My prayers and support are with you, your dad and Kathy. This is just so sad, all around...all she was trying to do was help...Blessings on you all! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
|
|
|
Kelly43
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
NJ
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 2:23:07 PM
|
Many prayers and support for all of you from NJ. What an awful thing to have to go through all around. I'm glad everyone is where they need to be to recieve care. Make sure you take care of yourself too as they all need you to stay healthy. Will be thinking of you always.
Kel |
|
|
|
berries
True Blue Farmgirl
475 Posts
gloria g
Florida
USA
475 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 3:58:50 PM
|
Oh Norma, my heart goes out to you all! I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. My thoughts and prayers will be with each of you. Please do keep us all posted on everyone's condition. Kelly is right, you have to take care of yourself, so you can take care of everyone else.
Blessings to you all,
farmgirls hugs, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever!
www.strawberryhousequilting.com |
|
|
|
Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 4:36:00 PM
|
Norma,
You,your dad, and Kathy are all in my prayers. I am so sorry this happened and yes, please keep us updated.
(((HUGS)))
Bonnie
...she is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Prov 31:10
www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Sweet Harvest Homestead
True Blue Farmgirl
279 Posts
Lindy
Stanfield
NC
USA
279 Posts |
|
|
Patsy
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Illinois
USA
592 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 6:41:43 PM
|
Prayer being said right now.
Blessed are those who love the soil,
|
|
|
|
LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 9:46:56 PM
|
Prayers for all of you tonight. May light and love surround you all at this difficult time. Find strength in each other and hope for peace after such an awful ordeal. Blessings to all of you. Take good care of yourself too.
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
MaryJane
Queen Bee
16916 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
16916 Posts |
Posted - Dec 02 2006 : 8:49:01 PM
|
Dearest sweet Norma,
Your friend's ordeal is haunting. I've been thinking about her ever since I read your call for farmgirl prayers. I've seen my neighbor's dogs attack cows and deer like that. Once they get running/moving in a pack, adorable pets can turn unbelievably vicious and blood thirsty. I was bit (only in one place on my hand-a deep puncture wound) by a house cat that I was trying to save from a dog and became very ill. It's actually called Cat Scratch Disease. I had to be hospitalized. Not only does Kathy have to heal from the 400 stitches, she has to fend off infections from the bacteria on their teeth. Keep us updated. This is just horrible. I'll envision her whole and healthy again. She can heal but she'll need a lot of prayers and good medical care going forward. A big hug and prayers for you too. I hope you hold up somehow.
MaryJane |
|
|
|
GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
|
|
beachbuminthecountry
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
Effort
PA
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2006 : 06:03:41 AM
|
I'll be praying
Thank you and God Bless
BB
If Satan comes knocking at your door, just say " Jesus can you get that for me" |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2006 : 07:21:12 AM
|
Norma, my heart felt prayers & thoughts are w/ all of you. God bless you all.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
|
|
lamamama
True Blue Farmgirl
255 Posts
Melanie
CA
USA
255 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2006 : 3:35:34 PM
|
Prayers sent for grace & healing to befall you. May you find strenth & support through this difficult time.
Melanie |
|
|
|
peapodjane
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
127 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 02:34:23 AM
|
How are you and your loved ones doing? Thank you for sharing the difficulties you are experiencing, gives one a chance to send healing thoughts to you. May you all heal in all ways.
Thinking of you,
peapodjane |
|
|
|
Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 08:32:02 AM
|
| Norma, as you can see, you are in all our thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted on Kathy's, and your father's, improvements. God bless. Nance |
|
|
|
frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 08:43:44 AM
|
norma,
thoughts and prayers being sent your way for kathy, you and your dad.
please take care, and keep us posted.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
|
|
|
Norma
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Norma
Texarkana
AR
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 11:54:53 AM
|
My love to everyone of you,
Today is Monday, December 4, and things are a bit brighter today. I wanted to tell you how very much I appreciate all your warm thoughts and sincere prayers and well wishes you've sent to me and my family through all this. Your notes brought tears to my eyes, and brought an even deeper bond with all of you....you are super women and I thank you SO MUCH for everything.
My Daddy is doing better - they have him on Aricept, an Alzheimer's drug, and Lexapro for depression. After he had the blood replaced in his body, he was more "at" himself and in better control of the situation. We are going to be discussion what comes next for him early this week. The doctor wants to keep him where he is for a few more days.
Kathy had skin grafts last Friday, Dec. 1, and we will know how well those did probably the middle of the week. So, she now also has a large patch of skin gone from the top of her right leg, which I understands will feel like a burn, to get the skin to put on her arms. The plastic surgeon will change her dressings before she goes home, and evaluate how much of a "take" he got. He wants/needs at least an 80% "take" - hopefully 85-90%. Otherwise, they'll have to regraft at another future date. The doctor said he could send her home now, except that the antibiotic she receives needs to be delivered by IV; she couldn't tolerate taking that high a dosage by mouth. But all in all, it seems things are going well. She is totally immobile in her right arm right now - there are huge gauze dressings on everything, plus a big blue immobilizer with velcro straps - like you'd have with a fracture, I suppose.
Whew! Well, in all the goings & comings, I've caught a nasty cold/laryngitis, but I'm ok. I actually feel pretty good until nightfall, when my head stops up and I lose my voice. That may even be a blessing to everyone! LOL
Kathy's mother is supposed to have a colonoscopy done on Friday, and we're going to try to get her to reschedule it until next Friday, as it is a routine test for her. Otherwise, I'm likely to have Kathy, Daddy and two kiddoes to deal with all alone! YIKES! I'll keep you all posted on everything, and again, I thank you so much for your kindnesses!!!
I couldn't have a better group of Sisters! God bless you one and all.
Love,
Norma
P.S. I read someone's recent remark about "put on your big girl panties and deal with it", and it has become my motto -- there have been many times I've repeated this to myself through all of this! :)
|
|
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 12:04:38 PM
|
Norma
So glad to hear things are getting better if not perfect yet. What an awful thing to have happen. Been thinking about you and your family and so was glad to see this update. Take care of yourself now, hot salt water gargle and vicks on your throat, drink lots and lots of hot lemon water.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
newheart
True Blue Farmgirl
471 Posts
Margie
Owings Mills
Maryland
USA
471 Posts |
Posted - Dec 05 2006 : 02:34:32 AM
|
I don't normally post on this Family Matters but it's 5:30am and I have been up all night freezing. Norma, My prayers and thoughts are for you and Kathy and your Dad.....Positive thinking will bring you all though this matter...Love and many prayers to you and yours.
newheart
Love of friends and family makes the world go round..and always a little Chocolate.
margie
|
|
|
|
peapodjane
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
127 Posts |
Posted - Dec 05 2006 : 03:55:53 AM
|
Thank you so much for letting us know what is happening, continued prayers and good thoughts being sent your way.
peapodjane |
|
|
|
junebug
True Blue Farmgirl
2421 Posts
Sue
West Plains,
Mo.
USA
2421 Posts |
|
|
Niamh
True Blue Farmgirl
140 Posts
Idaho
140 Posts |
Posted - Dec 05 2006 : 07:32:29 AM
|
| Glad to hear the update. Sending more positive thoughts your way. |
|
|
|
Family Matters: FarmGirl Prayers Needed |
|
FarmGirl Prayers Needed
